Govt. policies affected growth of poultry business in 2023 – SUNCHI Farms

Mr Sunday Ezeobiora, Chairman, SUNCHI Integrated Farms Ltd, Enugu, an agro-allied firm, has said that some government policies and programmes negatively impacted the growth of poultry business in 2023.

Ezeobiora, who is the National President of Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), disclosed this on Wednesday at the 10th anniversary celebration of SUNCHI Integrated Farms Ltd in Enugu, Enugu State.

According to him, the year 2023 has been difficult for poultry farmers in Nigeria including his SUNCHI farms.

He said he was hopeful that measures being put in place by the government would address the challenges confronting Nigeria’s poultry industry.

“In all the years we have been in operation, 2023 has been hugely remarkable as it is the year three major government policies had significant impact on our operations.

“The Naira redesign policy, fuel subsidy removal, and devaluation of the currency affected our business just like every business in Nigeria.”

He said that the event was to bring stakeholders together and appreciate them.

Ezeobiora said that SUNCHI started construction in 2009 and commenced operations in 2013 as a breeder farm, hatchery and small scale feed mill producing feed for the farms internal consumption.

“We started with a 20 tons per day capacity for the feed mill and 200,000 birds per month in 2013.’’

Ezeobiora, who is also the chairman of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria for Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi states, added that between 2014 and 2015, the company increased its hatchery capacity to 480,000 birds per month.

Her said that in 2022, the company installed 10 tons per hour automated feed mill for mash and 5 tons per hour pelleted feed.

“Our oil refinery was also established in 2016 with a capacity to refine 4 tons per day.

“With our increased feed production; we are also increasing our oil refinery to match the volume of soya beans we crush for a feed.’’

Ezeobiora said that the oil refinery was added to further add value to the by-product of soybean which was used for feed production.

“We have further gone into frozen chicken as an extension of our value chain, ” Ezeobiora said.

In his goodwill message, Mr Kanayo Nwankwo, a member of PAN, described Ezeobiora as a humble and trusted businessman.

“I have never met a man; very humble, simple and honest like Sunny, ” he said.

Also, the National Vice chairman PAN (South East), Olisa Onu, said it was difficult to undertake poultry business in Nigeria, especially in the South-east due to several factors including insecurity.

“So, I commend SUNCHI for his doggedness and for weathering the storm all these years, ” he said.

One of the highlights of the ceremony was long service awards to some pioneer and hard-working workers of the company.